Other

Exatec, LLC

Thomas V Cutcher

Eric F J M Van Der Meulen

Chengtao Li

Bien Trong Bui

Bein T Bui

A plastic window assembly includes a substantially transparent plastic panel and an opaque plastic frame adhered to the perimeter of the panel, which bounds and defines an effective viewing area of the panel. A transition step of the frame extends upward from the surface of the panel to a raised surface of the frame. Provided on the surface in the effective viewing area of the panel is an image. In order to print the image such that the outer edges of the image extend to an interfacial area defined by the juncture of the transition step and the second surface of the panel, a MIT printing process and specialized membrane construction is used.

Decorated two component window assembly and method of manufacture

A screen printing apparatus for printing images onto a three dimensional surface of a substrate. The apparatus includes a screen formed of a flexible mesh material and having porous image portions that allows passage of a printing medium through it. A shaping assembly including a plurality of shapers that are movable between retracted and extended positions. In their extended positions, the shapers are engaged with the screen assembly and generally cause screen to generally conform to the three dimensional surface of the substrate. A squeegee, that is flexible and conformable to the three dimensional surface, is drawn along screen and forces at least some of the printing medium through the porous portion of the screen and onto the three dimensional surface.

Screen printing apparatus

An apparatus for, and a method of, printing a precise pattern on the inside radius of a curved substrate by the pivotal movement of a pendulum moving across the surface of a screen capable of receiving and transferring an ink, is disclosed.

Apparatus for printing on a curved substrate

An apparatus for, and a method of, transferring an image to a substrate. At least one printed, flexible membrane is located adjacent at least one forming fixture having a complementary shape to the substrate surface. The membrane is urged into image transferring contact with the substrate.

Method and apparatus for transferring an image to a substrate

Method and apparatus for printing on a curved substrate

A printing screen assembly is provided with an integral shield to protect the ink which is dispensed on the top surface of the screen during the printing process. The mesh material is mounted on a frame member and coated with exposed emulsion with open areas for transferring ink to a glass substrate. A shield is mounted on a second frame member and positioned on the first frame member so that the shield is placed in parallel spaced-apart relationship with the mesh material. The frame members, the mesh material and the shield form an enclosed ink containment area to protect the ink from contamination during the printing process. For water-based ink, water vapor can be added to the containment area to maintain the ink at the desired relative humidity. An ink dispensing strip fits in the containment area between the shield and the mesh fabric of the screen. The shield must have sufficient elasticity such that the forces of the flood bar and squeegee of the printing press are transmitted to the ink and the mesh material of the screen. The process of manufacturing the printing screen assembly includes the step of forming the printing screen and the shield on two separate frame members.

Ink shield screen printing assembly and process

A squeegee assembly including an outer pair of longitudinal plate brackets secured about a squeegee holder for retaining and positioning a squeegee blade. The squeegee holder secures the squeegee blade and is connected to positioning shafts at each end of the outer brackets. The positioning shafts may be rotated to adjust the position of the squeegee holder and blade, which retains the printing edge of the blade at the desired distance from a slotted opening in the outer brackets. The squeegee holder may consist of one or two longitudinal bars and includes a longitudinal flange which is positioned in a longitudinal groove in the squeegee blade to ensure the proper retention of the squeegee blade. The outer brackets are secured at the top end and include a longitudinal groove for connecting the squeegee assembly to the carriage of the screen printing apparatus. Rotating the positioning shafts positions the squeegee blade which extends from the squeegee holder through a slotted opening in the bottom of the outer brackets. A pair of locking bolts are used to lock the squeegee holder in the desired position and to align the squeegee blade.

Adjustable squeegee assembly for silk screen printers

A printing screen, a process of making such a printing screen, and a method of screen printing on hard non-absorbent materials, such as glass, are provided to form a pattern with selected areas of variable thickness. A pattern is formed in the screen utilizing an emulsion coating which has been hardened in the usual manner. A second pattern is formed in a second emulsion coating on a surface of the screen in at least one area of the first pattern. The second emulsion coating is substantially thinner than the first coat and includes a specific dot size and arrangement to achieve additional support, which results in a thinner layer of ceramic ink being deposited when the screen is in use.

Printing screen with plugs and method for printing a variable thickness

A printing screen, a process of making such a printing screen, and a method of screen printing on hard non-absorbent materials, such as glass, are provided to form a pattern with selected areas of variable thickness. A pattern is formed in the screen utilizing an emulsion coating which has been hardened in the usual manner. A second pattern is formed in a second emulsion coating on a surface of the screen in at least one area of the first pattern. The second emulsion coating is substantially thicker than the first coat and includes a specific dot size and arrangement to achieve additional support, which results in a greater thickness of ceramic ink being deposited when the screen is in use. The dots are arranged in a spaced-apart relationship to provide a durable and high quality screen. The dots are sized based on the mesh opening size of the fabric used in the screen. By sizing the dots to match the mesh size, the life of the screen may be increased because the dots are stronger and will effectively reduce the crumbling and cracking of emulsion dots during regular production use.

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Petersburg, MI, United States of America

Thomas V Cutcher